die
Stirn
🧐 What does 'die Stirn' mean?
Die Stirn (noun, feminine) refers to the part of the face between the eyebrows and the hairline, commonly known in English as the forehead.
- There is only one article for this word: die. It is always feminine. 👩
- Main meaning: The front, upper part of the human head.
- Figurative meaning: Sometimes used symbolically for thoughts, worries, or defiance/resistance (e.g., „jemandem die Stirn bieten“ – to defy someone).
🚨 There are no common mix-ups with other articles as 'Stirn' is unambiguously feminine.
📐 Grammar of 'die Stirn' in Detail
The word 'Stirn' is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Stirn | (Subject) |
| Genitive | der | Stirn | (Possessive) |
| Dative | der | Stirn | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | die | Stirn | (Direct Object) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Stirnen | (Subject) |
| Genitive | der | Stirnen | (Possessive) |
| Dative | den | Stirnen | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | die | Stirnen | (Direct Object) |
Example Sentences
- Er wischte sich den Schweiß von der Stirn.
(He wiped the sweat from his forehead.) - Sie runzelte nachdenklich die Stirn.
(She furrowed her brow thoughtfully.) - Die Sorgenfalten auf seiner Stirn wurden tiefer.
(The worry lines on his forehead deepened.) - Mit hoher Stirn trat er vor die Menge.
(With his head held high / proudly, he stepped before the crowd. - 'hohe Stirn' can imply pride/confidence here) - Kinder haben oft noch keine Falten auf den Stirnen.
(Children often don't have wrinkles on their foreheads yet.)
🗣️ How to use 'Stirn'?
'Stirn' is mostly used literally for the body part. However, there are several common idioms:
- Die Stirn runzeln: To frown, furrow one's brow. Expresses thought, skepticism, or annoyance. Example: „Als er die Rechnung sah, runzelte er die Stirn.“ (When he saw the bill, he frowned.) 🤔
- Jemandem die Stirn bieten: To stand up to someone, to defy someone. Expresses courage and resistance. Example: „Die kleine Firma bot dem großen Konzern die Stirn.“ (The small company defied the large corporation.) 💪
- Etwas auf der Stirn geschrieben stehen haben: To have something written all over one's face (lit. forehead). Means something (often feelings or intentions) is obvious or easily recognizable. Example: „Man sah ihm die Enttäuschung auf der Stirn geschrieben.“ (You could see the disappointment written all over his face.)
- Eine hohe Stirn haben: To have a high forehead. Sometimes (archaically) associated with intelligence.
In a medical context, you might hear about Stirnhöhlen (frontal sinuses) or Stirnfalten (forehead wrinkles).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Stirn'
Article Mnemonic: Remember that women (often associated with 'die') might be more concerned about wrinkles on die Stirn. Or think of die Queen 👑 - she has a prominent Stirn where she wears her tiara.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you steernly look someone in the eye - your gaze comes from just below your Stirn (forehead). Or: If you bump your head, you might see stars - right where your Stirn is!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Vorderhaupt: (somewhat archaic or anatomical term for forehead)
Note: There are very few direct, common synonyms for 'Stirn' in everyday German. It's usually described rather than substituted.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Hinterkopf: Back of the head (anatomical counterpart).
- No direct logical opposite in terms of qualities.
Related Terms (Caution, different meaning!):
- Stirnband: Headband (worn around the forehead).
- Stirnlampe: Headlamp (worn on the forehead).
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum tragen Skelette kein Make-up auf der Stirn?
Weil sie keinen Body mehr haben, um es aufzutragen... und keine Stirnmuskeln zum Runzeln!
English: Why don't skeletons wear makeup on their foreheads?
Because they don't have any body left to put it on... and no forehead muscles to frown with!
📜 Poem about the Forehead
German:
Die Stirn, so glatt, mal voller Sorgen,
zeigt Gedanken, heut und morgen.
Ein Runzeln hier, ein Kuss ganz sacht,
auf ihr wird mancher Plan erdacht.
Sie bietet Trotz, wenn's nötig ist,
ein Teil von dir, den man nie vergisst.
English Translation:
The forehead, so smooth, sometimes full of worries,
shows thoughts, today and tomorrow.
A frown here, a gentle kiss,
on it, many a plan is conceived.
It offers defiance when necessary,
a part of you that is never forgotten.
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich liege über deinen Augen,
doch sehen kann ich nicht.
Manchmal runzle ich vor Sorgen,
manchmal glänze ich im Licht.
Man kann mir etwas bieten,
wenn man mutig ist und stark.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I lie above your eyes,
but I cannot see.
Sometimes I wrinkle with worry,
sometimes I shine in the light.
One can 'offer' me something (defy me),
if one is brave and strong.
What am I?
Solution: die Stirn (the forehead)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Compound Words: 'Stirn' is part of many German compound words:
- Stirnfalte: Forehead wrinkle
- Stirnhöhle: Frontal sinus
- Stirnseite: Front side (e.g., of a building)
- Stirnlampe: Headlamp
- Stirnband: Headband
- Stirnrunzeln: Frown, frowning (can also be a noun)
Etymology: The word 'Stirn' has Germanic roots and is related to words meaning 'front' or 'edge'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Stirn?
The German word "Stirn" (forehead) is always feminine. The correct article is die Stirn. The plural is "die Stirnen".